Sheet-delivery apparatus for printing-presses



(No Model.) Y, 3 Sheets-Sheet l. J. T. HAWKINS.

SHEET DELIVERY APPARATUS POR PRINTING PRESSES.

Patented May 9, 1882.4

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(No Model.)

J. T. HAWKINS.

SHEET DELIVERY APPARATUS 'POR PRINTING PRESSES.

Patented P May 9, .1882.

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f J. T.VHAWKINS.

SHEET DELIVERY APPARATUS PoR PRINTING PRESSES.

No. 257,575. Patented Ma.5=9,1882.

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f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

`JOHN T. HAWKINS, OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHEET-DELIVERY APPARATUS r-'oa` PRINTING-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,575, dated May 9, 1882. Application filed November 26, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN T. HAWKINS, of Taunton, inthe county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usef'ul Improvement in Sheet-Delivery Apparatus for Printing-Presses, which improvement is f-'ully set forth and illustrated iu the following specification and accompanying drawings.

The invention consists primarily' in the employment of frictional-surfaced sheet-driving wheels driven at the same peripheral velocity as that of the impression -cylinden and so placed as'to touch or act upon the unprinted margins of the sheets of paper only, the said frictional-'surf'aced wheels heingsurroundedin part by sheet-guides touching or nearly touching their frictional peripheries.

The inventionalso consists in the employment of a revolving fau or equivalent device, in combination with the sheet-drivingwheels and sheet-guides above mentioned,whereby a current of air is caused to impinge upon the last-printed side of the sheet as it is being discharged from said guides, thereby causingeach sheet to iioat upon or remain suspended in the air at said time.

The invention also consists in the employ-i ment of a fly consisting of a hollow fly-shaftprovided with hollow perforated fly-fingersfor i shaft provided with hollow perforated fiy-tingers, from the 'perforations' in which fingers jets of air are ejected by said pump in order to prevent contact between the printed side of the sheet and the iiy-tingers while the sheet is heingconveyed .bythe fiy over to and upon the fly-board.

All of theahove-mentioned mechanism,with ishereinafter described its necessary adjuncts',

in detail, as follows:

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l illustrates in side elevation the mechanism designed to effect the method herein described of delivering the printed sheets, showing in addition such adjunct parts ofa cylinder printing-press as are essential to the illustration of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 illustratea rear elevation and plan, respectively, of the same mechanism, the feed-board and driving-belt in Fig. 3 being omitted. Fig. 4 illustratesin two views the sheet-driving wheels and their construction. Fig. 5 illustrates in two views the cam which operates the sheet-lifter fingers of the machine, and Fig. 6, also in two views, the lever by means of which motion is transmitted to said lifter-fingers from the lcam illus- 6o trated in Figl 5. Figsll and 3 are drawn upon la smaller scale than that used in drawing Figs. 2 and 4.

In the said figures, the letters A A indicate Eparts of the side frames ofl a cylinder-press,- the letter B the impressioncylinder, and C the f2, over the ends of which the leading edge of thesheet is clamped by thecylinder-grippersy.

To the end of the shaft E is secured a twoarmed lever,f, carrying on-one arm a pin, g', 'and on the other arm a pin, g2, engaging a spring, h', on the inside of the fian'ge of the cylinder-head. The pin g engages the stationary caln F, secured to the frame of themachine, in passing up whose inclined face said pin lifts the sheet-lifter lingers fZ simultana ously with the opening of the cylinder-grippers y.

R indicates a rod extendingacross the press .i Y

and attached to the frames `A A, upon which the sheet-guides Rare secured by means of set-screws in'such manner that they may be set at any desired point in the width ot' the press to suit the size of sheet to he printed, thc

, said guides forming on their respective inside curves a circular arc corresponding to the periphery of the sheet-driving wheels a n. The number of the guides R to he used depends upon the width of press or sheet to be printed.

A` indicates a shaftjournaled inV the frames of the press', and carrying inside the frames two or more narrow sheet-driving wheels,au,

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having an elastic frictional surface, of rubber or other .suitable material, a', upon their peripheries, preferably in the form shown in Fig. 4, in which is a series of segments of sheetrubber, a', held to the conical or beveled faces of the wheels a by means of the clamps a2 and The rubber is thus presented edgewise to the moving` sheet. Any deflection or stretching that may be exerted upon said rubber segments will tend outwardly, thereby keeping the sheet` tightly stretched in a direction across the press, as but two of the Wheels aare generally' used, and these so placed as to come in contact with thc outer margins of the paper only. The sheet-driving wheels a are placed in line with the corresponding sheet-guides, R', the said wheels being capable of adjustment across the machine, as are also the said guides. g

n a continuation of the shaft A', outside of the frame of the machine A, is secured a pulley, c, and upon the impression-cylinders axis a corresponding pulley, c', is secured, said pulleys being so proportioned as to give to the irictional-surfaced sheet-drivin g wheels a and theimpression-surface of the cylinder B the same peripheral velocity. The shaft A' is so placed with reference to the axis of the cylinder B that the frictional periphery a' ot' the wheels a will press lightly upon the impression-surface of the cylinder B, a crossed belt, B', or equivalent gearing, giving these respective surfaces motion in the same direction and at the same velocity. The sheet-guides R' are polished on their interior curved surfaces, so that the back of the sheet will slide freely upon' them, while the pressure of the elastic frictiona-l periphery a' of the sheet-driving wheels a upon the margins of the last-printed side conveys each sheet to the point at which it is taken by the fly-fingers F2, and by them carried over to and deposited upon the ily-table C', the fly being actuated by means ofthe cam '6, the lever L, the belt H, and the spring V. Any number of the sheetguides R' may be used suitable to the work to be done or to the width ofthe press, as has been before stated in reference to the sheet-driving wheels a.,- but generally and preferably but two of each of said wheels and guides are used, which are so placed crosswise the press as to bring their frictional surfaces in contact only with the unpriuted margins which nearly all printed work has left at its sides; but, as said guides 1t' come in contact only with the unpriuted or dry side of the sheet, additional intermediate guides4 driving the same may be employed, and instead of a fan any other suitable means of producnga current or blast ot' air at this point may be employed.

S indicates a hollow shaft, provided with a series of hollow ily-fingers, F2, perforated on their faces, as shown at F3, and secured to said shaft by cored clamps, as shown at c2. The hollow shaft S has secured thereon a hollow disk, D2, with whose interior the interior of said shaft communicates; and near the rim of said disk, like a crank-pin or stud, is secured the hollow trunnion T of the air-pump cylinder P. The said air-pump is single-acting, and one of its covers acts as a guide for its piston-rod p, which cover is also perforated to permit ofthe free ingress and egress of air therethrough. At the opposite end of the airpump its chamber communicates with the iu- .terior of the disk D2 by means of the hollow trunnion T, secured thereto, as above described.

H indicates a belt, one end of which enwraps the disk D2, the other end being attached to the rocker-lever L, pivoted to the lframe A at A2. The said lever, when operated by the cam 't' and interposed roller r, actuates the y F2 in its forward or delivery motion through the interposed belt. H and disk D2, secured to the ily-shaft S. rIhe return motion ot the fly F2 is 4effected by means of the spring Vaud its rod V', secured at its respective ends to the crankpin V2 of the disk D2, and to the frame of the press. It thus appears evident that the operation' which causes the forward or delivery motion of the ily also causes at the same time the oscillation of the air-pump P, and consequently a compression of the air within the chamber'of the pump between its closed end and its piston, whose rod p is pivoted to the frame at 1)' the point upon which the air-pu m p P oscillatcs. The air thus compressed is necessarily forced in a strong current through the hollow trunnion 'il into the hollow disk D2, thence into the hollow shaft S, thence into the hollow lingers F2, and finally out of the perforations F3 therein. Upon the return motion of the fly, disk, and air-pump the air enters the perforated fingers F2 and rezupplies the air-pum p I. A suitable valve,l1owever,opening inwardly, maybe placed, if desired, in the air-pump cover or in its piston for the purpose ot' a resupply of air to the pump. The fan F' and the tly F2 may be quickly removed from their hearings, together with their shafts, by means of the couplings K K', provided for such purpose, their respective shafts being severed at said couplings, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3.

The complete operation of this machine is as follows: The sheet yto be printed, being taken from the feed-hoard C in the usualmanner by theeylinder-grppers y, which clamp the leading edge of the sheet over the points of the lifter-fingersf2, is carried around to the type-bed and through the process of receiving the impression. Upon arriving at the point .fr of the sheet-guides R' the grippers y release the sheet by the engagement' ofthe grippertumbler cam D' with the opening-stud d', the sheet at this point being kept from dropping TOO IIO

' y ed bythe cam F, whichcauses thesheetlifter sheeth'aving passed their point of contact be` fore the grippers open.` Simultaneously with theopening of thegrippers the lever fis operat-V fingers f2 under the edge o fthei sheet to lift up from `thefcylinder-surface the advancing edge of the sheet, which edge thus passes between* theguides R and the sheet-drivin g wheels a,

whence the sheet is carried continuously forward untilits advancing edge has passed down in front of the iy-ngers F2 Vand its following edge has passed beyond the point w of the sheet-guides R. 'While the sheetis thus pass-` ing down in front ofthe inclined `{jy-fingers F2, at rest, thecurrentof air from therevolving fanF buoys up or floats the sheet in the air and prevents it from touching said iin gers. When the following edge of "the sheet has passed beyond the point ai ofthe sheet-guides It'l the fly F2, by the proper adjustment ofthe cam ,passesover to the fly-table C', carrying with it the sheet, and simultaneously with this movementof the fly the air-pump P forces a current of air into the ily, which current is projected in jets out of the perforations F3 in the` liy-iingers, thereby preventing while in transitthe contact of thel sheet with the y during its part of the delivery operation. ter thus depositing a sheet upon the ily-board C the fly F2 returns to make another delivery by the time that the advancingedge of the succeeding` sheet passes out from the point m between the sheet-guides It and the sheetdriving wheels d. The fly F2 is returned after eachdelivery of a sheet to its position fora new delivery by means of the spring V,its rod wV', and the crank-pin V2, attached to the hollow disk D2, as already explained.

By the method of delivery above described each sheet is delivered with its last-printed side upward without the use of tapes or cords, without the necessity of having a leading margin of sheet so wide as to overhang the gripper-edge ot' the impression-cylinder, and without bringing any part ot' the printed surface of a sheet in contact with any part of the delivery mechanism, while at the same time, from the great facility afforded for the quick detachmentof the fan andfly, and with but two sheet-driving wheels at the side margins only ofthe sheets, the back of thepress is rendered -free and clear for the purposes of access to the form.

I do not limit myself to the means herein shown and described for imparting the requisite movements to the sheet-lifter fingers f2, the frictional sheet-driving wheels a., the fan F', the ily F2, and the air-pump P, as the means for imparting saidmovements may be varied to suit the particular form andproportions of press to which such parts may be applied without departing from the principles of this invention; and any of the well-known and for the purposes set forth. y

2. In a cylinder printingpress or other madevices for effecting like motions may heemployed, as maybelmost convenient to the end sought.

l I do not herein claim as new, per se, any of 'the mechanism shown and described for eflfeetin g the above-mentioned movements but, `as of my invention,

" I claim-- 1.1 In a 'cylinder printing-press or other ma` chine requiring a similar vdisposition or deliv-` ery ot' sheetsof paper therefrom, the combination of frictonal-surfacedsheetdriving wheels suitably spaced upon a common axis, and

curved sheet-guides in contact with and conformed to the peripheries of said wheels andr rigidly mounted upon a shaft abve the same,1

all arrangedand operating substantially as chine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom, frictionalsurfaced sheet-driving `wheels suitably spaced upon a common axis, and curved sheet-guides inV contact with and conformed to the peripheries of said wheels, and rigidly mounted upon a shaft above the same, in combination with means, substantially as described, to force a current of air upon the last-printed side of each sheet of paper when discharged from between said wheels and guides, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a cylinder printing-press or other machine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom, the combination of frictional-surfaced sheet-driving' wheels suitably spaced upon a common axis, curved sheet-guides in contact with and conformed to the peripheries of said wheels and rigidly mounted upon a shaft above. the same, a revolving fan, and an oscillating ily, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a cylinder printing-press or other ma' chine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom, a fly or delivery-frame consisting of an oscillating or vibrating hollow shaft having secured thereto hollow perforated bars or fingers, and provided with means, substantially as. described, for forcing a current of air through perforations in said fingers, substantially as` and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a cylinder printing-press or other machine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom, in combination with a revolving fan, a ii y or deliveryframe consisting of an oscillating or vibrating hollow shaft having secured thereto hollow perforated bars or fingers, and provided with means, substantially as described, for forcing a current of air through perforations in said fingers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. h

6. In a cylinder printing-press or other machine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom, in combina- IOC tion with a hollow fly-shaft having hollow perforatedflngers, an air-pump connected thereto, whereby a current of air is forced through the perforations in said tin gers during the forward or delivery oscillation ofthe fly, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a cylinder [,)rinting-press or other machine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets ofpaper therefrom, the combination ot'` frietional surfaced sheetdriving wheels suitably spaced upon a common axis, curved sheet-guides in Contact with and oonformed to the peripheries of said wheels and rigidly mounted upon a shaft above the same, an oscillating hollow fly-shaft provided with hollow perforated tin gers, and an air-pump, all

. arranged and operating` substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a cylinder printing-press or other maehine requiring a similar disposition or delivery of sheets of paper therefrom,the combination ot' frietional surfaced sheet driving wheels suitably spaced upon a common axis, curved sheet-guides :in Contact with and oonformed to the peripheries of said Wheels and rigidly mounted upon a shaft above the same, a revolving fan, a hollow fly-shaft provided with perforated fingers, and an air-pump, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN T. HAWKINS.

Witnesses:

H oRATro C. KIN G, P. R. VooRHEEs. 

